In my past career, for 6yrs, I was very much involved in all kinds of counseling and therapy, with families and children in crisis. I went to school and got a masters in psychology because I’m fascinated with the study of human behavior.  In my personal life, I have had a counselor for over ten years.  So I feel I “know” therapy and I believe in it.  I believe that seeking advice from someone else about something is just plain good.  Well, I am here to tell you folks about a new type of therapy I’ve just recently discovered and experienced, and believe that every business owner should experience –Brand Therapy. The wonderful phenomena of Brand Therapy (let’s just coin the term “BT” from now on) is that it involves both the emotional and physical aspects of your life and your business. Being only a one-year old business owner, I have learned a ton in this photography industry -from Photoshop actions, to Canon L-lenses, to Quickbooks, blogs, building websites, print and album vendors, online galleries, client relations, hiring a designer, getting an intern, taxes, LLC’s, marketing, social networking and media, workshops, tutorials… you name it, I’ve put my hands in it.  (oh, and starting a nonprofit! Star Shooter)  But the one most important factor in any business is Your Brand. My definition of brand is: something that effects all of the senses by defining who or what something is. That means a good brand must express their message visually, emotionally and tangibly -audio is a plus. (the sense of taste may not be so important in the photography field, but ya never know! ha.) Establishing a brand takes time. We not only have to figure out “our message” but ultimately we must figure out who we are ourselves.  So I believe the question is not so much “what is my brand?” or even “what do I want to shoot?” but more of “who am I?“.

I grew up in a different country, so being a “third-culture-kid” I have “chameleon” tendencies. I am able to observe the industry around me and adapt quickly, but I risk losing all sense of self. So, after a year of swimming in this big photography ocean, I am seeing the need to shine the Johnna colors pronto. This is what led me to Motto Agency: Brand Strategy + Design Firm. Motto holds a special place in my heart for one main reason… THEY VALUE ME. (Oh, and they are really really good at what they do.)  Motto asked me to shoot some of their products they designed/branded almost two years ago in Myrtle Beach, after they saw a few of my travel images on my old blog. When they called me to come in, I wasn’t a photographer. I was just a girl who took pictures while traveling -this is how I saw myself. They saw something in me that I was too afraid to let out. I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for Motto, I may have not picked up my camera in America. Now, two years later, I am facing different kind of fears.

Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger are the super duo behind Motto. It was in my BT session with Sunny and Ashleigh that the magic happened. I expressed my fears and discovered they have been there since childhood. They helped me see that I was bound up in the lie that I have been believing… “I’m not creative enough to call myself an artist.” (Yes, if I’m honest, little bits of tears came at this point.)  Sunny and Ashleigh encouraged me that I’m not alone in many of my fears as a creative business owner, and that it’d be helpful to spend time on myself as an artist, and engage in personal projects. Sunny and Ashleigh also did the most helpful “design review” over my website and gave me tips on how to make my current brand better aesthetically, as well as gave me a load of insight into other resources out there that could help me. I also learned more about “brand strategy and positioning” which I thought was very cool. Talking with Motto (for almost three hours! via Skype) not only was encouraging but extremely profitable to my mental clarity, which can only solidify the direction in which Johnna Brynn Photography will go. So watch out world, this chameleon is changing!

*thank you for reading this long post. It was an assignment to myself as “part two” of my Brand Therapy session, so I wouldn’t forget what I learned. Ha.

Enjoy this super fly screenshot I took during my Brand Therapy session with Motto Agency!  *I didn’t warn Sunny and Ashleigh of the shot… so give them grace. ha!